Federal Aid Programs for Louisiana Emergency Disaster Recovery
Release Date: August 29, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-171Factsheet
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Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's emergency disaster declaration issued for Louisiana.
"Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- FEMA will direct other federal agencies and provide 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, limited to this direct federal assistance.
- Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the President reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid.
Direct Federal Assistance:
FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The state shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task.
- Food, Water, and Other Consumable Commodities: This relates to a mission assignment task order approved for such commodities and the work necessary to distribute them, but not including installation or set-up, regardless of the work or project completion date.
- Other Emergency Protective Measures: Examples of these measures include: installation of generators, installation of large plastic sheet roofing, and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures.
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-Aug-2008 14:19:53